ELECTION NEWS AS IT HAPPENS

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

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Experts, voters tip change

CHANGES: VOTER FATIGUE AND LOW TURNOUT MAY LEAD TO NEW FACES IN COUNCIL
BERNIE DOWLING
dowlingb@qst.newsltd.com.au

Police seek guns stolen from vehicle

POLICE are pleading with the community for information on the theft of four guns and ammunition stolen from a parked vehicle at Barrine Place, Narangba, last week. A 69-year-old man and 65-year-old woman from Hervey Bay were visiting family when the firearms were removed from their car between 6pm Thursday, April 19, and 6am Friday, April 20. The couple have been charged with failing to properly secure a weapon in a vehicle and issued with a notice to appear. Guns stolen include a Miroku M10 shotgun, Ruger KM77RFP MKII bolt action rifle, Ruger M77 centre fire rifle and an Anschutz bolt action rifle. Burpengary Police officerin-charge Senior Sergeant Ash Stanke said: Theyre pretty powerful rifles. The potentials there for them to be used for unlawful means. Other items stolen included two gun belts with ammunition and three skinning knives.
Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Burpengary Police Station on 3491 2444

WE ASKED: HAVE YOU DECIDED WHO YOU WILL VOTE FOR AND WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES THAT MAY INFLUENCE YOUR VOTE?
Natasha Nicholls Caboolture A: No, I havent decided. Roads and parks. There is lots of trafc around the whole area and I want someone who will keep the parks clean and tidy. Helen Brand Mango Hill A: I cant vote because Im not a citizen but theres nothing really around this area that needs xing. The new railway link will be great for this area. Jeff Moore Morayeld A: I have and I just did (vote). I thought Id stick with people with a bit of history in the area. Ron Cassel Morayeld A: Not really. Ive only been at Morayeld a short time so dont know many of the candidates. Paul Thomas Mango Hill A: I have no idea who to vote for yet. I dont really care but I would like council to give small business a go and Im not sure if amalgamation has worked. Luke Martin Murrumba Downs A: Im not sure yet. The roads are pretty good but I would like council to be involved in keeping the community safe. There are hoons all around the area. Mick Hannemann Caboolture A: Ive already done it. Its good you can do it before hand.

UP to five Moreton Bay region sitting councillors may lose their seats in tomorrows elections, according to Local Government Association (LGAQ) CEO Greg Hallam. LGAQ analysis of the elections predicted that turnover rates are expected to be in the range of 35-45 per cent, possibly higher, in some councils, Mr Hallam said. With 11 of the 12 divisions and mayoral race being contested those figures suggest there may be four or five new faces in the next council. Only Division 10 councillor Brian Battersby will be watching from the sidelines as he will be returned unopposed. Clive Bean, a professor of political science at the Queensland University of Technology warned a possible low turnout may affect some candidates. The turnout may be lower and there is a danger to those candidates who may have received support from the people who may not turn up (to vote), he said. There has been a lot of attention on politics at the Queensland State level and

Kylie Pelaez Murrumba Downs A: I havent decided. I used to own a house in the area but I dont any more. Im sure rates and water would be big issues.

Mal Dingle Caboolture A: Just did. Yeah I was pretty condent.

bits with federal politics that it would not surprise me if there was a sense of let-down or exhaustion from voters, he said. I do not think it will have a risk for the government, once they are in because

they will have to get on with the job, but it could impact on the candidates. Voter fatigue was also an issue for QUT election expert Dr Mary Crawford. There is definitely election weariness, ennui, what-

ever you want to call it, Ms Crawford said, citing calls for another federal election and the state elections, held just five weeks ago as key influences. Ms Crawford also believes three main factors would de-

termine whether the sitting councillors survive tomorrow whether they were part of their community, accessible and discussed issues with their residents.
Signs of the times page 8

NEWS
DONATE BLOOD

Mayoral candidates coy over preference swaps

TWO contenders for the Moreton Bay Regional Council mayoralty could swap preferences in a bid to boost their votes. Mayoral candidate Greg Chapman confirmed he was in talks with Chris Whiting for a preference deal. Were looking at doing a deal, he said. But Mr Whiting declined to comment. I cant confirm or deny that, he said. I think thats something that will be revealed on the day. All the deals have been sealed, but they will be revealed on the day. Mr Chapman said he had also approached Mayor Allan Sutherland to discuss a deal but had been rebuffed. Mr Sutherland did not return the Times calls. Ian Bell said: I am not directing any preferences people are free to vote for whomever they wish after they put me first or to simply leave the rest blank. Ivan Hall said he would not be swapping preferences and John Hall said his how-tovote cards would display preferences but they were not reality: I did put preferences but all I did was put myself as one, he said.

The Red Cross Blood Bank donormobile will be at three Pine Rivers sites in May. It will be at Lillybrook Shopping Village on Thursday, May 24, Murrumba Downs Shopping Centre on Friday, May 25, and at Brendale on Tuesday, May 29.

OLYMPIAN IN LAWNTON
Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell will be at the Lawnton Aquatic Centre, corner Lawnton Pocket and Gympie roads on Sunday, from 10am-2pm, to promote Swim Kids Operation 10,000.

PACK

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